B. Body talk

Step 1: Participants should be divided into groups of 3-4 people. They should imagine that they have just entered their doctor’s consulting room or been summoned to their boss’s office or called for an interview i.e. any formal situation. Each will take it in turn to adopt negative body language while in a sitting position. First, try using passive, defensive body language. Next, still sitting, try to assume aggressive, arrogant postures. Colleagues can help by suggesting other ways body language might show passivity or aggression. Then the same group member should just sit naturally – as she or he would normally sit in such a situation – and get feedback from the group what messages are being conveyed by their body language. Finally, with the help and advice of other group members, individuals will get into a sitting position which appears relaxed, open, comfortable and assertive. Each group member will practice all four stages.

Step 2: Begin the activity. Ensure that each group member has the chance to practice and receive feedback and advice from colleagues.

Step 3: Take feedback from the group. Ask for comments or observation. Ask any questions.

Step 4: Repeat the whole exercise, standing this time. Participants should imagine they are in a potentially stressful situation – perhaps talking to an important client or in a shop complaining about a faulty purchase.

Step 5: When everyone has had a chance to practice standing assertively, reconvene the main group for a short discussion of the learning points. Ask for observations from the group.

Questions you might use:

· What negative poses do you habitually assume?

· What assertive, positive signals do you habitually send to others?

· How can you minimise negative body language?

· Why do you think it’s important to project an assertive image through body language?

· What have you learned from this activity?

Step 6: Sum up, then close the activity. With practice, you will be able to adopt a relaxed, confident, open posture at will – however difficult the situation. By consciously relaxing the shoulders and muscles of the face, standing tall, adopting an open stance – without appearing too laid back – your confidence will be given the boost it needs to tackle situations with assertive body posture.